PLANS for a £3.6m refurbishment of Carlisle’s Civic Centre have been given the thumbs-up.

The headquarters for the city council were damaged in the floods of December 2015.

A decision to proceed was made at a virtual council meeting held on Tuesday.

Plans include the development of the ground floor, as well as the demolition of the two-storey Octagon annex that currently includes the Council Chamber.

A new Customer Contact Centre on the ground floor of the main building will also provide improved facilities for customers and visitors.

Work is due to start on the work in the summer.

Story Construction has been appointed the lead contractor for the £3.6 million project and will start work this summer with works planned to be completed by summer 2021.

The majority of funding for the scheme will come from the council’s flood insurance settlement, plus other existing council resources and an invest to save scheme.

Councillor Gareth Ellis, deputy leader of the council, presented a report about the Civic Centre works at the meeting on Tuesday.

He said: “The Civic Centre refurbishment is the last stage of flood recovery works and will provide better access and better use of the space within the ground floor of the building.

“It’s much needed improvements and cannot be delayed any further.”

Leader of Carlisle City Council, councillor John Mallinson, continued: “We’re delighted that a local contractor has been appointed to do the Civic Centre reinstatement works.

“During these uncertain times we have every confidence that they will undertake the work following the government’s safe working guidelines.

“We want to do all we can to support local businesses and this contract will provide a boost to the local economy.”

The majority of the funding for the redevelopment will come from flood insurance.

Emma Porter, managing director of Story Construction, said: “We were there in the immediate aftermath of the floods helping with the emergency clean ups and so are delighted to be involved in the completion of this project.

“As a local company, it is encouraging to see our city council planning for the future.

“We have worked hard to develop new ways that protect our people on site and the public and will ensure works are carried out with this as a priority.”